I Fell in Love with Hope - Lancali

“Neo.”
“I forgive you, okay?” Neo takes the apple and plants it on his lap.
“Now, will you leave me alone?”
“No.” C opens the door. “I’ll be back tomorrow.”
The third day:
C opens the door. The apple finds its spot on the side table. C takes
his stance, hands cupped, smile dimply and fresh.
“Hi.”
Neo slams his pen onto his papers.
“I don’t remember you being this stubborn!”
C’s smile doesn’t waver. “I learned it from you,” he says.
Neo scowls. “What do you want?”
“To be friends.”
Neo shakes his head like he’s been smacked. “What?”
“I’ve wanted to be friends ever since you started helping me in Lit,” C
says.
“But you went back to the hospital before I could ask.”
“My bad–”
“Shut up. Be my friend.”
“We can’t be friends.”
“Do you like music?”